“When they say God is good, I know it is so,” Nicco Annan.

Nicco himself and the presenter, Sheryl Lee Ralph, could not believe it when the envelope was opened and his name was there: Nicco Annan, the winner of the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series in 2023. Annan was up against heavy hitters like Damson Idris, Sterling K. Brown, Kofi Sifiboe, and Jabari Banks.

Parading on stage like his character, Uncle Clifford, who earned him this award, Annan accepted his first NAACP Award win gracefully. Before even getting to the mic, you could hear him proclaim in Mrs. Ralph’s direction, “Praise the Lord!”

After praising God, Annan elicited a call and response from the audience by saying a West African call for attention, “Agoo!”

The intended response is, “Amee!” which means, “you have my attention.” 

He called again, “Agoo!” And there were a few responses, “Amee!”

Annan continued, “You already know who I serve and that’s the Lord. And I am used. And I am grateful. I am grateful for the artists that participate in creating this story.”

He dedicated his trophy to everyone 40 years old and up who “did not have space to be themselves.” Annan’s heart and soul overflowed with gratitude, so much so that he didn’t acknowledge the music intended to play him off the stage. He wanted to finish his heartfelt speech, so he did, as the music played. 

“It was told to me one time, may you dine at the tables that you build with dreams too brave to be broken with cups and plates that runneth over. Those are the words of Katori Hall and I thank that woman for this opportunity and creating a space that we can look at our cousins and sisters and brothers with love, dignity and respect as they fly through the ceiling.”

And to that, we all say, “Amee!”

gracefully